Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-02-01
WILLARD fILLMoaE,s LAST YEARS.
Buffalo as the Home Of Two Presidents
Willard Fillmore's Son.
Especial Correspondence

Willard Filimore's Son.
Especial Correspondence
BUFFALO, Jan. 24.-Since the elevation Of
Grover Cleveland to the presidency Buffalo
brides herself upon being a political center OF
Importance. Why not? 1t is no small thing
in a political way to have personal acquaint-
ance with the president of the United States,
and nearly everybody who amounts to any
thing in Buffalo knew Grover Cleveland.
Yet it is not a new experience for Buffalo to
have one Of her citizens president. Ridpath
tells you that Willard Fillmore was of New
York, but history is too general; Fillmore
was of Buffalo.
Willard Fillmore was originally an obscure
lawyer of the village of Aurora, Erie county,
but subsequently came to Buffalo. He grad
ually became prominent in his profession, and
from the first acted with the Wing party. He
was sent to congress, and when the office Of
state comptroller was made elective he was
nominated fort, and was the first comptroller
chosen by the people. While holding that
Office he was nominated for vice-president on
the ticket headed by Gen. Zachary Taylor.
Both were elected in 1S4S, owing to the split
in the Democratic party by the Free Soil
movement. Mr.. Fillmore entered upon the
duties of his new office on the 4th of March,
1s49, and by the death of President Taylor in
July, 1850, became president Of the United
States, Here l may mention a curious coin
cidence. When Taylor succeeded Harrison in
1S4l Mr.. Fillmore was in congress. A debate
arose over Tyler's title; whether he should be-
called acting president upon the death Of a
president, or what not. 1t was strongly
argued that he could not constitutionally
become president; that there must be a dis
%tinction. Finally the opinion prevailed that
he should hold the same title as il elected to
the Office. Mr.. Fillmoretook strong ground in
support of this view, little dreaming that he
would be the second to be promoted to the
presidency in this way.
The events of his administration are parts
of the history of the country. After his re-
tircment from Office in March. 1858, Mr.. Fill.
more made an extended European trip, and
had not returned in 9S56-the year of the Bu-
chanan-Frernont campaign-when he wa
notified that he had been nominated for
president by the American Know Nothing
party. Maryland was the only state of tn,
Union to give him her electoral votes.
1t is not polite in these days to talk oil
Know Nothingism. Willard Fillmore was a
Wing, and had little confidence in his election
by the American party. When his Buffalo
friends gave him a serenade upon his return
from Europe, he made a brief speech, accept,
ing Inc nomination. these WORDS shouted
a friend from below, VIII make you presi.
cent OF me Unlted States" IN answer
nope So SIT, most slncerely"-wa made the
campaign cry CT the democrats ana free
Soiiefs OIL Buiialo.
AS ex-presldent. Mr.. Fillmore contracted
a second marriage, ms choice BONG the
wealthy widow or one OF the opposition candi-
dates purse holders, The contract of the
marriage was drawn up by Nathan II. Hall,
who was the ex-president's personal friend.
II related, OF course, simply to the second
MRS. l'llliaores personal estate.
After the termination Of the presidential
contest Nh. Fillmore lived here in retirement,
ana was thoroughly. esteemed by citizens re-
gardlcss Of party. He died in 1871, and was
buried at Fort Lawn cemetery. He was of
commanding presence, and, as one of bis
friends described aim to me recently, a man
Few persons could pass on the street without
turning to lcok back at. There was that
anout nus gentle dignity hat secured respect
from unexpected sources, and few citizens
me- nm Quiz a morning Walk woo d,d moi
III lhelf mats as a natufal token Oh delerence.
lie was, notwithstanding his reserve, always
read to take part in any public event.
The Fillmore mansion was one of the hand.
soonest OF paiatlal residences OF Niagara
square. 1t IS now known as the Fillmore,
but has degenerated7 to a fashionable board
ing house. The landladies are sisters of a
celebrated turtle of Coney island Mrs.
Fillmore died a few years ago, making liberal
requests to the Buffalo Fin Arts academy,
the Buffalo Historical society, and local
charities. Her private library was given in
tact to the Historical society. Every volume
contains her autograph. One OF tho park ap
proacnes, Fillmore avenue, was named .tr
honor OF the departed ex-president, and the
CITY is taking good care OF it, having during
the last season paved it with asphalt at d cosl
OF $4,000.
Mr.. Fillmore was not considered a brilliant
man.; but he was considered deep, sound ane
logical. One of his chief local political op
ponents was a well known local character Of
that day, whom l will call Jones. II is re
lated that their greatest wore duel took placs
in achurch at Abbott's Corners, being hotly
contested for six hours. DR.. L. r. Dayton
who is a personal friend of the present occu
pant OF the While House, heard it, and hi.
idea was that Jones, on account Of his re
markable h~rilliancy, got the better of tht
argument. DIR. Dayton told me a story about
Jones which should be preserved. In TIL.
early days Buffalo's largest hall was the ole
court house on Lafayette square. A noted
temperance orator from Albany was adyer
tised to- address a mass meeting in the after
noon, but failed to arrive. The ONLY
mar the committee could think O
who was equal to the emergency
was this same Jones. They found him in hi
office lying on a couch, engaged in rubbing
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